Music that moves me....

NIgra Sum©KMazzella/Peermusic by Kavisha

Kavisha Mazzella is one of my favourite artists.  A wonderful singer/songwriter, originally from Fremantle, now based in Melbourne.  Not only is she a stunning solo performer (and she tells the most wonderful stories), she is also a community choir teacher extraordinaire.  I've had the privilege of being in a couple of workshops run by her, she has the most amazing ability to get a group of people singing together.  I learnt this particular song, 'Nigra Sum' (about The Black Madonna) in one of them, and it is still so powerful when I hear it, just something about those harmonies!  The latin chorus "Nigra sum sed formosa" simply means "I am black but I am beautiful."

Unfortunately, there's not a lot of Kavisha's work on Youtube, but you can get a taste at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.  Her voice is gorgeous.

And here's a snippet I did find on YouTube.  Her song for the 100th Anniversary of Woman's Suffrage in Victoria, in 2008, and the choir she directed singing it.  She's the little bundle of energy in the red scarf conducting down the front.  If you ever get a chance to see her, or buy her music, do it!




Lyrics HERE if you want to read them.